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Thursday, March 8, 2012

Achieving Balance (a.k.a. Trying to Do it All)

As I gear up for the big Defy cover reveal on March 29th, I frequently find myself spinning in circles trying to get everything done. If you know me, you know this is rather unusual. I'm a Type A who takes planning to a whole other level. So this feeling of spiraling out of control has been more than a little disconcerting!

Like many indie authors, I have another full-time job. My wedding planning career absorbs my day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a one-hour break to go and pick my daughter up from Kindergarten. After 6:00 p.m. comes family time with my husband and daughter. We make dinner and catch up on each other's days. My daughter goes to bed at 8:00, and I usually work on author tasks from then until 9:00, at which time my hubby and I watch a TV show or tackle chores. By 11:00, he's in bed and my writing tasks begin.

Yes, it's after 11:00 p.m. as I type this. Yes, I have to get up early with my daughter in the morning. Don't judge.

Oh, okay...you can judge! The truth is, this isn't a healthy lifestyle. While I am taking care to watch what I eat and going for three-mile walks three times a week, I'm operating off far less sleep than I did back in July of last year before my books were published. But, as I tell my husband, I've got to do what I've got to do. And I truly wouldn't change thing (except add more hours in the day!).

I'm wise enough to know that there are ways to find balance even in the craziest life circumstances. After realizing how much I had to tackle in the coming weeks leading up to the cover reveal, I took some steps to keep from derailing. There are almost always ways to achieve a goal. Here's what I've done:

1. Hired a book tour organizer. I'm still a relative newbie to the whole author deal, so I've been doing all of my own marketing and promoting. My author friend, Bethany Lopez, however, recently hired a couple of blog tour organizers with varying success. Based on her advice, I've started working with YA Bound, and Trisha Wolfe has been absolutely wonderful! I'm now excited rather than stressed about the kickoff of the book tour on April 30th.

2. Taken people up on offers of help. I've always been one who is happy to offer a helping hand, but I'm reluctant to accept one when I need it. Not now! When I needed a fresh round of beta readers to firm up Defy, for example, I turned to some of my writer friends who I trusted to provide honest feedback. Thanks to them, I know I'm producing an amazing book...and that's one less stressful thing to have on my plate with the launch looming!

3. Scheduled some time off. Okay, it won't be until July, but I'm still thrilled about it! That will be one year since the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy was published. Just knowing that the down-time is on the horizon will help get me through these crazy months ahead.

4. Scratched things off my list. My husband pokes fun at me because I have lists for everything. He's a tech geek, so when he sees my multiple Word docs open on my laptop it does this weird thing to a vein in his forehead. Anyhow, there is a serious feeling of accomplishment in scratching off even the smallest list item. Trust me on this!

On that note, I'll scratch off my "Write a post for The Writer's Voice" list item and thank you all for continuing to follow me on my journey. For my next post, I'll have an excerpt from Defy as I prepare for the cover reveal just two days later!

I'll tell you what, Angela...I haven't been so relieved to spend money in a LONG time! :) Seriously, investing in a capable team to help with things like the book launch is worth every penny. It has, to some extent, freed up my writing time, too...which makes it even more valuable!

Raine, I understand where you're coming from! I constantly have people ask, "How do you find the time to..."! I spend half the time running around like a crazy person and I can't seem to turn my mind off! I am so glad I could help you out a bit! A vacation is a wonderful way to give some undivided attention to your spouse and get some down time! My husband and I are going to Costa Rica in 3 weeks, and knowing that helps!Great post!Bethany

Oooo...Costa Rica! How fabulous, Bethany! I'm sure you're beyond excited, and that's a great reward for releasing xoxoxo. :) Thanks for everything you do in support of me and other indie authors. You're amazing!

This is such a Great post. Getting everything done is really tough. I have to balance lawschool classes, my job as a law clerk, my research assistant position to a professor, and of course reading and writing reviews/posts for my blog.and that doesn't even begin to factor in time for things like tv/friends/family.

It gets tough at times but my blog and friends and family are the things that I enjoy so I just make time for them. They keep me sane under the pressures of law school. Oh and 5 hour energy is my best friend,! Haha

I also use my google calendar like a pro! I have a million different colors and schedule my time down to the minute it seems like. I don't always manage to stay on track but just having my schedule made helps a lot.

I'm the same, trying to accomplish everything on my to do lists and if I don't accomplish at least 80% I start feeling like I've failed. And yes I love to make lists for everything, but I use pen and paper, because I love being able to actually cross them off.Hang in there and get some sleep!